Former Michigan State tailback Lorenzo White is one of three Spartans on this year's college football hall of fame ballot.Photo courtesy of MSU athletic communications

EAST LANSING — Michigan State has three of its former all-time football greats on the 2013 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot released on Tuesday.

Seventy-seven players and five coaches vie for college football's ultimate honor; announcement of the 2013 FBS Hall of Fame Class will be made live May 7 from Times Square in New York City, and the inductions take place at the 56th NFF Annual Awards Dinner December 10, 2013 at the landmark Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.

The Spartans on this year's ballot are:

Kirk Gibson, Wide Receiver

Gibson was named First Team All-America, led the Big Ten in receiving in league play and helped the Spartans to a Big Ten Co-Championship and a No.12 national ranking in 1978. A two-sport star, Gibson went on to play Major League Baseball for 17 seasons.

Percy Snow, Linebacker

A 1989 unanimous First Team All-America and 1989 Butkus Award winner, Snow led Michigan State to the 1987 Big Ten title and Rose Bowl win. Snow ranks second all-time in career tackles (473) with the Spartans.

Lorenzo White, Running Back

White was a two-time First Team All-America at Michigan State, earning unanimous (1985) and consensus (1987) honors. White led the Spartans to the 1987 Big Ten title and Rose Bowl win, and he led the nation in rushing in 1985. White was the first Michigan State player to lead team in rushing four-straight seasons.

About the Hall of Fame

To be eligible for the ballot, players must have been named a First Team All-America by a major/national selector as recognized and utilized by the NCAA for their consensus All-America teams; played their last year of intercollegiate football at least ten years prior; played within the last 50 years and cannot be currently playing professional football.

Coaches must have coached a minimum of 10 years and 100 games as a head coach; won at least 60% of their games; and be retired from coaching for at least three years. If a coach is retired and over the age of 70, there is no waiting period. If he is over the age of 75, he is eligible as an active coach. In both cases, the candidate’s post-football record as a citizen may also be weighed.

Once nominated for consideration, all player candidates are submitted to one of eight District Screening Committees, depending on their school’s geographic location, which conducts a vote to determine who will appear on the ballot and represent their respective districts. Each year, approximately 15 candidates, who are not selected for the Hall of Fame, will be named automatic holdovers and will bypass the district screening process and automatically appear on the ballot the following year. Additionally, the Veterans Committee may make recommendations to Honors Court for exceptions that allow for the induction of players who played more than 50 years ago.

Of the 4.92 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on November 6, 1869, only 918 players have earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, or less than .0002 percent of those who have played the game during the past 144 years. From the coaching ranks, 200 individuals have achieved Hall of Fame distinction.